Speaking with the NY Times, Kanye finally opens to the media speaking on the impact of his last albums, his creative process, his adoption of minimalism, and compares himself to Steve Jobs. He also has an interesting answer about the impact of 808’s & Heartbreak, which sounds a lot like a shot at Drake. Remember, Drake’s So Far Gone mixtape as well as subsequent albums have borrowed heavily from their mix of 808’s and Graduation, so it is pretty evident who he’s talking about. Also the two have a weird history together – namely the time Kanye kicked Drake out of the studio because he was afraid he would steal his sound.

Do you feel like “808s” is the album of yours that has had the most impact?

There are people who have figured out the exact, you know, Kanye West formula, the mix between “Graduation” and “808s,” and were able to become more successful at it. “Stronger” was the first, like, dance-rap song that resonated to that level, and then “808s” was the first album of that kind, you know? It was the first, like, black new wave album. I didn’t realize I was new wave until this project. Thus my connection with [the graphic designer] Peter Saville, with Raf Simons, with high-end fashion, with minor chords. I hadn’t heard new wave! But I am a black new wave artist.